What’s new: Chinese police have taken “compulsory measures” against 11 people suspected of causing Monday’s fatal gym collapse in Heilongjiang province, state media reported Friday.
The CCTV report didn’t specify what these measures were, but the actions usually include arrest, detention, residential surveillance and bail pending trial.
A person surnamed Wu, who is among the 11 people, is suspected of being primarily responsible for the collapse, which killed three middle school students and injured two others, the report said.
Local authorities have set up a team to investigate the collapse, with the official in charge vowing to “investigate the case to the end and never tolerate” anyone involved, the report added.
The background: The roof of a gym in Huanan county, Heilongjiang, collapsed on Monday evening, trapping four out of seven middle school students who were playing basketball inside, CCTV reported. Three of them died after being rushed to hospital for treatment.
This is the second gym collapse in the northeastern province in just over three months, raising concerns about building safety in the region. Caixin has learned the owner of the developer who built the gym is Wu Liqian, who shares the same name as a retired local construction official. A deputy head of Huanan’s publicity department told Caixin Wednesday that they are still verifying the retired official’s identity.
Qin Jianhang contributed to the story.
Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Bertrand Teo (bertrandteo@caixin.com)
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